Trigger Points are tight, tender areas (sometimes referred to as "knots") in the muscle that have become irritated. When they are pressed they send referred sensations that may feel like pain, tingling, or numbness, to another area of the body. For example, pressing on a trigger point in the top of the shoulder might create a sensation of achiness up the neck or in the head.
Trigger point therapy may be used on its own, or more often is used as part of NMT or deep tissue work. The goal of trigger point therapy is to interrupt the pain-spasm-pain cycle set up between the tight area within the muscle and the nervous system, as described in neuromusclar therapy. Because of the way trigger points refer pain, the source of the pain that you may be feeling may often be somewhere other than the where you feel it. The massage therapist will give attention to both the origin of the pain, and the area of pain as you feel it. Trigger point therapy is often combined with stretching techniques and resisted stretching techniques that can help release tightness once the trigger point has been released. Attention is given to postural or overuse habits that may be causing the trigger points in the first place.
Jane and Amy use trigger point therapy as needed, or by request.
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